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Health and Employment – Cancer, heart and trauma patients face the most understaffed wards

Source: New Zealand Nurses Organisation

Cancer, heart and trauma patients have faced the most understaffed wards and emergency departments over the past three years, a new Infometrics report prepared for Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) has found.
The Infometrics report How many more nurses does New Zealand need? analyses Te Whatu Ora data from 1.69 million shifts from 2022 to 2024 in 59 public hospitals.
NZNO President Anne Daniels says cancer and cardiovascular wards were the most understaffed with 49% of all shifts (page 25, table 10) having inadequate staffing to meet safe staffing requirements set out under the Care Capacity Demand Management programme.
“That means these vulnerable patients faced a shortage of nurses to care for them one in every two shifts. This rose to 66% for day shifts if you were in an inpatient cancer ward and 62% if you were in a cardiovascular ward.
“Children’s wards also fared poorly with 45% of all shifts being understaffed, followed by 36% of all shifts in critical care and emergency departments.
“These wards and emergency departments treat our most vulnerable patients. It is not good enough that we don’t have enough nurses to give them the timely and quality care they need because we are constantly short-staffed.”
Anne Daniels says the report also highlights the most understaffed wards in the country over the past three years (page 27, table 12) with mental health wards featuring heavily.
“This is a shocking insight into the state of our mental health wards with 11, including Hillmorton Hospital in Christchurch, featuring in the 39 most understaffed wards in the country.
“The Coalition Government, and Mental Health Minister Matthew Doocey, claim mental health services are a priority. If this is truly the case, it is time for mental health wards to have the safe staffing their patients deserve,” Anne Daniels says.
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Health and Employment – Hospitals short 587 nurses every shift last year, new report finds

Source: New Zealand Nurses Organisation

New Zealand’s hospitals were short an average of 587 nurses every shift last year, a new Infometrics report prepared for Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) has found.
The Infometrics report How many more nurses does New Zealand need? analysed Te Whatu Ora data from 1.69 million shifts from 2022 to 2024 in 59 public hospitals.
It found on average between 2022 and 2024 the country’s hospitals were short 635 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) nurses every shift (page 20, table 6). While there was a slight improvement in 2024 with an average shortage of 587 nurses, on some shifts it rose to 848 nurses. The shortage was worse in 2023 when it averaged 684 nurse shortages but rose to a maximum of 937 nurses short.
NZNO Chief Executive Paul Goulter says the report puts paid to Te Whatu Ora’s claims hospitals aren’t short-staffed.
“With 592 hospital wards and emergency departments throughout the country, Te Whatu Ora’s own data – which they fought to keep secret – shows that almost every ward, every shift is short-staffed.
“This report highlights the effect of Aotearoa New Zealand’s aging population and people being sicker when they get to hospital because they can’t get into their GPs.
“The hiring of 3000 Te Whatu Ora nurses last year shows the growing demand for hospital services, but patient needs are still not being met. Patient safety is being put at risk because of short staffing and the ongoing recruitment freeze. This is an abject failure of workforce planning,” Paul Goulter says.
The data in the report is collected through the Care Capacity Demand Management safe staffing programme which the former District Health Boards adopted in 2009 but have never properly implemented, he says. The need for safe staffing levels to protect patient safety has become a central issue for collective bargaining between Te Whatu Ora and NZNO.
“The numbers in this report are eyewatering. But sadly, these aren’t just numbers. This represents years of care patients have missed out on.
“The Coalition Government can choose to address short staffing in our hospitals by funding them based on patient need, not to meet their cost cutting budget requirements. More nurses equals safer care,” Paul Goulter says. 
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Health and Employment – Iwi and Māori providers struggling to retain nurses

Source: New Zealand Nurses Organisation

Iwi and Māori health providers are struggling to attract and retain nurses because of poor pay and short-term government funding arrangements, a new Infometrics report prepared for Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) has found.
NZNO Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku says Iwi and Māori health providers are key to lifting Māori health outcomes and reducing inequities.
“We know that whānau who receive care at Iwi and Māori health providers which emphasise tikanga are associated with more responsive care and improved engagement.”
The Infometrics report How many more nurses does New Zealand need? identified 841 nurses working at Māori and Iwi providers in 2023 (page 80), representing 551 Full Time Equivalents (FTEs) because of the high number of nurses working part-time.
“To keep up with projected growth of the Māori population, the number of nurses working for Iwi and Māori providers would need to rise from 551 FTEs to 679, a rise of 128,” Kerri Nuku says.
“However, Infometrics found Māori and Iwi health providers are struggling to recruit nurses because of fragmented and often short-term funding channels, and funding not keeping pace with the increasing needs of their patients.
“Not only do these providers tend to have sicker patients, they’re limited in their ability to increase fees because many of their patients are on low incomes.
“Lower pay rates are also making it difficult to attract nurses with one provider unable to fill two vacant nurse positions for more than eight months.”
Māori and Iwi health providers have been underfunded for too long, Kerri Nuku says.
“This year’s Health budget allocated just 2.7% of spending to delivering hauora Māori services when Māori make up 20% of the total population.
“NZNO is calling on the Coalition Government to immediately address funding issues for the sector so providers can attract and retain nurses. A sustainable funding model, developed with Māori, for Māori, is critical.
“As we learnt during the Covid response, Māori and Iwi health providers are key to turning around Māori health inequities and saving the health system money in the long run,” Kerri Nuku says.
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Aviation – Don McCracken receives Civil Aviation Authority Director’s Award

Source: New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority

16 September 2025 – The Civil Aviation Authority has presented Don McCracken with the 2025 Director’s Award at the Aviation Industry Awards Gala Dinner in Wellington.

The Award recognises his sustained commitment to maintaining and improving aviation safety, not only in his own organisations over the years, but for the benefit of the wider aviation community.

Chief Executive and Director of Civil Aviation Kane Patena said Don’s leadership has strengthened the sector for more than three decades.

“Don has shaped New Zealand’s aviation landscape through senior roles at Oceania Aviation, Flightline Aviation, The Vintage Aviator, and now Aerosafe,” Patena said. “He has consistently demonstrated an unwavering dedication to safety and sustainability across both fixed-wing and rotary aviation.”

As Chair of the Aircraft Engineering Association of New Zealand, Don has been instrumental in building training pathways for engineers, and more recently championed mental health initiatives, including industry-wide resilience workshops.

“By opening up conversations about wellbeing, Don has reminded us that safety depends not only on machines, but on the people who maintain them,” Patena said.

“His leadership and compassion are widely respected, and it is a privilege to recognise him with this award.”

The Civil Aviation Authority congratulates Don McCracken on this well-deserved award.

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Selected price indexes: August 2025 – update


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Annual food prices increase 5.0 percent – Selected price indexes: August 2025 – Stats NZ news story and information release


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Transporting New Zealand welcomes competition law shake-up

Source: Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand

Road Freight Association Transporting New Zealand is welcoming the Government’s competition law shakeup, saying that reform is needed to address limited competition in ports, airports, airlines, retail electricity and fuel.
Transporting New Zealand’s Head of Policy and Advocacy Billy Clemens says that as a highly competitive sector of over 5,000 individual businesses, 75% operating 5 trucks or fewer, road freight businesses were frustrated with large supply chain partners frequently increasing costs without improving their services.
“ Reports from MBIE and the OECD have highlighted weak competition in key sectors of the economy, including from banking, insurance, ports, and airports, just to name a few.”
“As an example, over the past few years our members have seen substantial hikes in some port access feesthat road freight companies and their customers pay to collect and deliver cargo, with no proportional increase in port productivity and performance.”
Clemens says that the proposed reforms had the potential to stop markets becoming increasingly concentrated, and could potentially enable the creation of industry codes or rules to promote competition between supply chain partners.
“This is a great opportunity to boost New Zealand’s productivity and put downward pressure on road freight costs, that will benefit all businesses and consumers.”
“We’re looking forward to seeing the Commerce Act amendments introduced to Parliament and consulted on before Christmas, and passed by mid next year.”
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Employment – Tokoroa can’t take more job cuts – NZCTU

Source: NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi 

NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi President Richard Wagstaff is calling on the Government to help the Tokoroa community after Carter Holt Harvey confirmed the likely closure of the plywood plant in the town.

“This is another body blow to a community already reeling from the loss of jobs at the OJI Fibre plant. 100 secure, well-paid jobs are being lost. The Government must act now to help,” said Wagstaff.

“It’s not just the workers directly impacted by this change who will feel its effect. Their families, communities, and the local economy have already suffered due to job losses.

“These workers could face a brighter future if the Government were to genuinely commit to delivering a just transition for Tokoroa. The skills and talents of workers don’t need to be lost if we could build sustainable industries that provide well-paid jobs.

“This Government lacks the political will to invest and seems content to sit by and watch these workers and the Tokoroa community suffer.

“These job losses are the latest in a trend of large employers closing their operations in New Zealand. Unemployment is rising. Businesses are not investing. Working people are suffering. Yet there is no plan except cuts and empty promises.

“With a different approach, different outcomes are possible. It’s time to change track, and invest in communities like Tokoroa, and not let them fall further behind,” said Wagstaff.

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Events – Auckland Central City Library celebrates Pasifika heritage with Lupe I Vao Ese exhibition

Source: Auckland Council

Visitors will find a beautiful ode to measina (taonga/treasure) at the upcoming free exhibition Lupe I Vao Ese (LIVE), opening its doors to the public on 17 September 2025, at Auckland Central City Library for all Aucklanders to enjoy.

The title “Lupe I Vao Ese” is Samoan for “doves in different pastures” and highlights the journey of measina, the cultural treasures of Moana Oceania. Auckland Council Libraries Curator, Pasifika, Pamata Toleafoa, says this exhibition has been two years in the making and it is a delight to finally be able to share this with Aucklanders.

“With Lupe I Vao Ese, we’re aiming to inspire people to treasure their cultural heritage. Measina are inseparable from Pasifika identity, carried across oceans and generations as communities migrate and adapt. These treasures both influence and are influenced by the diverse contexts they inhabit, adapting alongside the people who uphold them.

“This exhibition challenges the idea of measina/taonga as something only displayed at festivals, ceremonies or preserved behind glass,” adds Pamata. “We want to encourage our visitors to honour measina as active companions that continue to shape daily life, memory and belonging. Measina reside in the hearts, hands and memories of Pasifika peoples. As indigenous communities migrate and establish themselves in new environments, their measina accompany them, inseparable from identity.”

Along with the precious physical items known as measina, on loan from the Moana Pasifika Network and Auckland Council Library staff members, the exhibition showcases Pasifika heritage ranging from archival material and illustrations to photography from the 18th and 19th century to today. The measina on display range from Tivaevae (a form of quilting), Kato (woven baskets or bags), Masi (tapa cloth in Fiji used in ceremonies, gifting, weddings and chiefly gatherings) and Ie Toga (finely woven mat in Samoan culture) to name a few.

Auckland Council Libraries Head of Library and Learning Services, Catherine Leonard says exhibitions of this nature are vital for our communities in Tāmaki Makaurau, which are so diverse.

“It’s important to us, the Central City Library, to offer exhibitions that are diverse and represent the communities of Tāmaki Makaurau. Lupe I Vao Ese celebrates Pasifika heritage and creates opportunities to connect and enrich ourselves culturally. It’s a unique experience for the entire whānau that will leave you feeling inspired.”

This free exhibition is open from 17 September 2025 to 6 March 2026 at Auckland Central City Library. Wider Lupe I Vao Ese activities listed below:

Tāmaki Untold: Measina at Home with Edith Amituanai: https://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/events/2025/09/lupe-i-vao-ese-measina-at-home/

Central City Library, Saturday 20 September

Edith Amituanai is a New Zealand–born Samoan lens-based artist in Tāmaki Makaurau. Her work explores how environments shape identity, focusing on Samoan transnational communities. In this talk, she reflects on the domestic interior—particularly the “front room”—as a kind of stage, and how these spaces connect to the exhibition Lupe I Vao Ese (doves in different pastures).

Lupe I Vao Ese (LIVE) at Play: Celebrating Auckland Heritage Festival: https://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/news/2025/09/auckland-heritage-festival-2025-auckland-at-play/

LIVE at Play Artboards: https://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/events/2025/08/lupe-i-vao-ese-live-at-play-artboards/

Eastern Viaduct, Wynyard Quarter, Monday 4 August – Monday 29 September  

Celebrate a crossover between the Auckland Heritage Festival 2025 and Lupe I Vao Ese | LIVE at Play – an artboard satellite exhibition highlighting people with their measina in their communities.  

Lightboxes  

Te Komititanga and Darby Street, Wednesday 17 September – Sunday 5 October

A creative take on this year's Auckland Heritage Festival theme of “Auckland at Play” which highlights Tangata Moana using Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections.

Workshops:

Create your own work inspired by Auckland Libraries’ Pasifika Heritage Collections. All workshops take place at Ellen Melville Centre. Bookings required.

Weaving workshop – Thursday 25 September, 11am–1pm
Zine making – Saturday 27 September, 2pm–4pm
Diorama making – Friday 3 October, 11am–1pm

Proudly sponsored by the City Centre targeted rate.

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Palestine Forum of New Zealand Calls on Government to Support the Global Sumud Flotilla for Gaza

Source: Palestine Forum of New Zealand (PFNZ)

The Palestine Forum of New Zealand (PFNZ) strongly endorses the Sumud Flotilla, a global civil society initiative sailing to break the illegal blockade on Gaza and deliver urgently needed humanitarian aid.

The flotilla embodies sumud, steadfastness in the face of genocide, siege, and collective punishment imposed on the Palestinian people. While governments around the world have failed to act decisively, ordinary people are uniting across continents to demand justice, freedom, and dignity for Palestinians.

The Palestine Forum of New Zealand calls on the Government of New Zealand to:

  • Publicly support the Sumud Flotilla and affirm the right of safe passage to Gaza under international law.
  • Demand that Israel end its illegal blockade of Gaza immediately.
  • Join the growing number of countries implementing sanctions and accountability measures against Israel.
  • Provide diplomatic protection and humanitarian backing to ensure the flotilla’s safe arrival in Gaza.

“Gaza has endured decades of siege, repeated bombardment, and now a genocidal war. The Sumud Flotilla is a beacon of hope that challenges impunity and demands action. New Zealand cannot remain silent; it must stand with the flotilla and with Palestine,” said [Spokesperson’s Name], on behalf of the Palestine Forum of New Zealand.

New Zealand has a proud record of moral leadership, from standing against apartheid in South Africa to declaring itself nuclear-free. It is time for our government to once again be on the right side of history and take urgent action to support the people of Gaza.

End the blockade. Support the flotilla. Stand with Palestine.

Maher Nazzal

Palestine Forum of New Zealand